Doing a risk assessment

How do I know if I need to assess the risk in more detail?

The guideline figures for stopping/starting a load and for keeping a load in motion are provided in guidance booklet L23 “Manual Handling”. If these guideline figures are exceeded a full risk assessment should be made.

Guideline figures for pushing and pulling

	men	women
For stopping or starting a load	20 kg (ie about 200 Newtons)	15 kg (ie about 150 Newtons)
For keeping load in motion	10 kg (ie about 100 Newtons)	7 kg (ie about 70 Newtons)

However, these figures assume that the force is applied using where the hands are positioned between knuckle and shoulder height and the distance involved is no more than about 20m whether the load is slid, rolled or supported on wheels. If these assumptions are not met, then a more detailed assessment is needed. Also, a detailed risk assessment should be carried out if risk factors such as uneven floors, confined spaces or trapping hazards are present.

The amount of force that is needed to move a load over a flat, level surface using a well maintained handling aid is at least 2% of the load weight.

Example - Load weight is 200kg; the force needed to move this is 4kg.

However, this force may be larger if the conditions are not perfect e.g. wheels are not in the right position, or the device is poorly maintained. Moving weights over soft or uneven surfaces can require greater forces to move the load.

On uneven surfaces, the force needed to move a load could increase to 10% of the load weight. Using larger wheels could offset this. Pushing and pulling forces will also increase if a ramp or slope is to be negotiated.

There is no specific limit to the distance a load can be pushed or pulled as long as there are sufficient breaks for rest or recovery.

Remember: the use of these guidelines does not affect the employer's duty to avoid or reduce the risk of injury where this is reasonably practical. The guideline figures therefore should not be regarded as weight limits or approved figures for safe pushing and pulling operations.

How do I measure the force?

Newtons (N) are used to measure forces in any direction, as opposed to kilograms which measure how much effort is needed to lift something upwards. As a guide it takes about 10N to lift a kilogram.

The force needed to move a load could be measured using a spring balance, similar to those used in fisheries and butchers, by attaching the balance to the loads handle, pulling the load and noting down the figures. Also available are dynamometers. These are specialised tools that measure the force needed to move a load. They can vary in price depending on their functions.

New assessment checklist

To ensure that the key risk factors from pushing and pulling operations are identified, HSE have produced a pushing and pulling risk assessment checklist. If you feel that your pushing and pulling operations exceed the guideline figures or any of the other criteria provided above, you can check using the risk assessment checklist. There is also an example checklist to assist with your risk assessments.